Chapter 116
The pack was a storm of activity. People hurried through the halls, warriors arming themselves with blades and armor, and the air buzzed with tension. The commotion pulled me from my restless thoughts, and I stepped out into the corridor, catching snippets of conversation.
“Alpha Jake is preparing to leave,” someone murmured. “A neighboring pack has been attacked.”
I frowned, unease curling in my stomach. Why was I so bothered by this? He was an Alpha; of course, he had responsibilities beyond these walls. Still, the thought of him leaving, of stepping into danger, made my chest tighten.
“Keep it together,” I muttered under my breath. “Why should you care? He despises you.”
But my wolf stirred restlessly, her voice echoing in my mind. 'He’s our mate. He shouldn’t go.'
“Stop it,” I whispered fiercely. “That’s not possible. He’s not my mate. He had a mate.”
'He is. You know it.'
I shook my head, trying to push the thought away, but it clung to me like a stubborn shadow.
I found Sophie in the common room, cradling Logan as Lily tugged at her braid. The sight of the twins brought a much-needed wave of calm.
“Do you need help with them?” I asked, forcing a smile.
Sophie’s eyes softened, and she nodded. “If you don’t mind. The pack’s on edge, and I think the kids can feel it. They’re unusually fussy.”
I took Logan from her, his tiny hands grabbing at my hair, and smiled down at him. “Hey, little man. Let’s go find something fun to do, huh?”
\---
Jake didn’t say goodbye to the twins. Not a single word, not even a glance.
I watched from the doorway as he strode through the packhouse, his face cold and determined. Warriors trailed behind him, ready to follow their Alpha into the fray.
My heart twisted as Logan began to fuss, his tiny hands reaching out as if he knew.
“He didn’t even look at them,” I murmured bitterly, rocking Logan in my arms.
Sophie sighed, her expression sympathetic. “Jake’s… complicated. He doesn’t handle emotions well, especially not since…”
She trailed off, but I didn’t need her to finish. Since his mate. Since her death.
“I’ll take care of them,” I said firmly, pulling Lily close with my free hand.
Sophie gave me a grateful smile before excusing herself, leaving me alone with the twins.
By mid-afternoon, the packhouse had quieted. The tension in the air was still palpable, but without the warriors and their Alpha, it felt hollow.
The twins and I settled into the nursery, surrounded by their toys. I stacked blocks with Logan while Lily babbled nonsense, her little hands waving animatedly.
“I think it’s storytime,” I announced, earning a delighted squeal from Lily.
Scanning the shelves, I spotted a book I hadn’t read to them before. It was perched on a high shelf, just out of reach.
“Of course,” I muttered, dragging a chair over.
Balancing on the chair, I stretched up, my fingertips grazing the spine of the book. “Almost got it,” I said aloud, glancing back at the twins.
Lily giggled, clapping her tiny hands. Logan crawled closer, watching me intently.
The chair wobbled beneath me, and my heart leapt into my throat.
“Whoa!” I yelped, my arms flailing as the chair tipped dangerously.
I felt the weightlessness of falling, the air rushing around me as panic surged.
But then—nothing.
I wasn’t falling.
I blinked, realizing I was suspended midair, my body floating a few feet above the ground.
“What the…” My voice trailed off as my eyes darted to the twins.
Logan’s green eyes glowed faintly, a soft, ethereal light. Lily’s giggles grew louder, and her eyes mirrored her brother’s, shimmering with the same vibrant hue.
“Are you…?” I whispered, my voice trembling.
Lily clapped her hands again, and I felt my body gently lower to the ground, like an invisible force was cradling me. My feet touched the floor softly, and the glow in the twins’ eyes faded as quickly as it had appeared.
I stared at them, my heart pounding. They stared back, their faces innocent, as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
“That was…” I laughed, the sound shaky and incredulous. “That was amazing.”
Lily giggled, reaching out for me, and I scooped her into my arms, pulling Logan close with the other.
“You two are incredible,” I said, my voice filled with awe. “What are you? What are you?”
They giggled again, their tiny hands grabbing at my hair and face, their laughter infectious.
For a moment, I just held them, my mind racing. The girl in my dreams had told me they were special, that they held the future in their hands. But I hadn’t understood—until now.
The twins weren’t ordinary. They were something else, something extraordinary.
That night, as I tucked them into bed, I couldn’t stop replaying the moment in my mind. The way I had floated, the way their eyes had glowed. It was impossible, and yet it had happened.
Lily yawned, her tiny fists rubbing her eyes, and Logan let out a soft coo.
“I don’t know what you are,” I whispered, brushing a strand of hair from Lily’s face. “But I’ll protect you. No matter what.”
Their breathing evened out as they drifted to sleep, and I stayed by their side, watching over them like the guardian I now knew I had to be.
\---
The next morning, I found Sophie in the kitchen, preparing breakfast.
“Morning,” she greeted, handing me a mug of coffee. “How were they last night?”
I hesitated, debating whether to tell her. But how could I explain something I barely understood myself?
“They were good,” I said instead, taking a sip of coffee.
Her smile was warm but tired. “You’re amazing with them, Ayla. They adore you.”
“I adore them,” I admitted. “They’re… special.”
Sophie’s expression softened. “They are. In more ways than one.”
Her words sent a shiver down my spine. Did she know? Could she sense it too?
I wanted to ask, but the moment passed, and she turned her attention back to the stove.
As I sat there, sipping my coffee and listening to the quiet hum of the packhouse.
The twins were special. The dreams were a warning. And Jake… Jake was still out there, carrying a piece of me with him, whether I wanted him to or not.
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